Suffolk senior charged in death of elderly Smithfield woman

Senior charged with elderly woman's death

SUFFOLK — A 58-year-old woman accused of pushing an elderly Smithfield woman onto the ground during a senior social event last year, and causing injuries that may have contributed to her death, has been indicted for involuntary manslaughter.

Velma Brown, 58, was taken into custody by Suffolk police on May 7, one week after a Suffolk Circuit Court grand jury indicted her for the Aug. 26, 2009, death of 83-year-old Elizabeth J. Newby.

Brown is scheduled to make her first appearance in Suffolk Circuit Court on Thursday.

According to police reports, Brown pushed Newby down at the event being held at the Suffolk National Guard Armory because she thought Newby was cutting in line.

Newby died two weeks later. The medical examiner determined she died of complications from the broken hip she sustained when she was pushed down.